Historical Rosters Database

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John David Ridley

Roster ID 703
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:John
Middle Name:David
Last Name:Ridley
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1858
Biography & Genealogy:John David Ridley, Class of 1858: Born- 1836. Matriculated from Richmond, Va. At VMI 2 years (repeated freshman year). To Caddo Parish, Louisiana ("Ravenswood Plantation") c1857. Married Laura C. Kent 1857. Returned to Virginia March 1861 to recruit for CS forces. Appointed 1st Lt, Provosional Army Virginia by governor April 18, 1861. To CS service and on July 1, 1861 appointed 2nd Lt, Company E, 4th Virginia. On recruiting duty August 1861. Appointed 1st Lt and Adjutant May 9, 1862 (date of rank April 22). Submitted resignation September 2, 1862 (ill health; surgeon said debility of the lungs). Resignation accepted October 1, 1862 effective December 26, 1862. Unofficial source says never recovered from throat wound inflicted by bursting shell. No official record of such wound found. Post War Career: Planter. Died- 1865. Buried in Blacksburg, Va.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516